Cubans took to social media to express their outrage over the abuse of a horse in Villa Clara, which ultimately led to the animal's death. Animal rights activist Yenney Caballero, a staunch defender of animals in Cuba, denounced the incident on Facebook and called for urgent government action to punish those responsible and to amend the Animal Welfare Decree for harsher penalties.
Caballero posted a video showing the horse in an extremely emaciated state, unable to stand after being abandoned by its owners under the sun. The animal was being aided by activists from the independent organization Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC) in Placetas. An activist in the video confirmed that the horse died shortly afterward.
"STOP ANIMAL ABUSE! It's criminal what they endure daily. They can't defend themselves; they can't go to a veterinarian on their own. I will stand with all animal rights activists wherever necessary. Modify the animal welfare decree, impose strict measures against these horrors. We are exhausted from witnessing so much. Our homes are filled with animals, our hearts are broken. We can't endure so much suffering. Cases like this cannot go unpunished. Justice, please share. This is the most suffering animal in Cuba. No more abuse, no more cruelty," Caballero posted on Facebook.
Immediately, dozens of people commented on the post, demanding an urgent amendment to the animal welfare decree and harsher penalties for those responsible for such acts of cruelty.
"It's heartbreaking to see that photo. Horses are victims of their owners who only see them as a means of enrichment. In this country, the government doesn't care about any animal. When will we see a law that protects them and severely punishes their violators?" commented one user.
"It's painful to see how animals suffer in Cuba. Animal cruelty doesn't stop. It's too much already. Why doesn't the government imprison people who commit these acts over and over again?" said another.
"It's unbelievable that there are such inhumane people. The horse served its owner and now it's left to die in the sun. It's too much, poor animal," lamented a third user.
Caballero, who has uncovered several serious cases of animal abuse in Cuba, including the sale of dog meat in Mayabeque, has been denouncing the frequent mistreatment of horses by their owners in the face of complicit authorities for months. In 2022, the animal rights activist reported a horse being beaten in the street in San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, which forced authorities to collect the animal and place it in safe custody.
Similarly, last year Cuban animal rights activist Betty Batista confronted the abusive owner of a pony, took the animal, and sheltered it in her own home in Havana until authorities arrived. The rescuer published a video on her Facebook page where she confronted the animal's owners when they came to reclaim it, stating she would only return it if they left an official document so they could be tracked by the police.
FAQs on Animal Abuse in Cuba
Given the increasing concerns about animal abuse in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to provide more insight into the issue.
What prompted the outrage over the horse abuse in Villa Clara?
The outrage was sparked by a video posted by activist Yenney Caballero, showing an emaciated horse abandoned under the sun, which later died despite efforts from animal rights activists to save it.
What actions are activists demanding from the Cuban government?
Activists are calling for the urgent amendment of the Animal Welfare Decree to impose harsher penalties for animal abuse and to ensure justice for such acts of cruelty.
Who is Yenney Caballero and what has she done for animal rights in Cuba?
Yenney Caballero is a prominent animal rights activist in Cuba who has exposed several severe cases of animal abuse, including the sale of dog meat in Mayabeque. She actively calls for stronger animal protection laws and enforcement.